The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1887-07-21
A CAROLINA MARTYR.
THE .LIFE-HISTORY OF RAN.
DOLPH ABBOTT SHOTWELL.

THE .LIFE-HISTORY OF RAN
DOLPH ABBOTT SHOTWELL.
The Thrilling Story of his Unjust. Inn
] prisonment His Brave, Manly For
titude is Told in Stirring Words.
| IA correspondent Of the Edenton
Enquirer wishes to draw veil over
the life of Shotwell and the editor of
the State Chronicle answers him so
eloquently and tells the story of his
life in way so much calculated to
inspire higher thinking and nobier
acting that we publish the greater
part of the article, believing that
such lives, teaching the lessons they
do, should always be held up as ex-
amples.-EDIToR SENTINEL.
IN what sense was Randolph A.
Shotwell patriot? Those who
have read this paper many months
need not be told to others a short
history of his life will have value
and an interest.
Randolph Abbott Shotwell was
born in West Liberty, Va, on the
18th day of December 1913. In
his veins there ran the blood of the
Cavalier and the Puritan. His faith
| er-Rev. Nathan Shotwell, Pres
byterian divine-was a native of the
Old Dominion, a true son of that
noble commonwealth. His mothers
| maiden name was Miss Maria Alb
| bott and her birth place was in the
State of Massachusetts,, where the
Pilgrim Fathers landed and where
Puritanism was rocked in its New
World cradle.
Brought up by devout father in
a quiet village in the good old orth-
odox Presbyterian way, Mr.. Shot
| we'll WIS early aware of the duties
and responsibilities of life.
Without incident these years of
| preparation for college were years
| that made him the stern and un-
yielding honest man he became in
life. He was sent to Media College
in Pennsylvania, where he was
when the clouds of a civil war broke
upon the country and rained down
its tempests of woes. When the
news went forth that the men of the
North and South had met in mortal
conflict, there was longing in the
heart of Mr.. Shotwell, yet youth,
"On the muster roll OF glory,
In his country's future story,
| On the battle field of glory
| To consecrate his name"
Is there no patriotism in the fact
that this young man, at school in a
NorthernC College, with only two dol
lars in his pocket journed South
ward to join himself to the army of
General Lee? Is it nothing that
reaching the Potomac he captured a
skiff from Yankee pickett, and in
his attempt to cross the river, was
discovered, his boat shot to pieces,
and he narrowly escaped with his
life? Is there no evidence Of pat
riotism in the fact that he partici-
pated in seventeen battles before
Peace reigned? Did it require no
courage and daring to lead the sharp
shooters in the fatal charge at Get
tysburg? Rambler" may not
think SO, but Secretary Seddon, by
order of President Davis, rendered
Mr.. Shotwell special commission
"for valor and skill"
1t may be that "a veil ought to
be thrown over" his escape from his
captors, his attempt to return to the
Confederate lines, his re-capture and
his confinement in Fort Delaware;
but we believe that every patriot in
North Carolina will love to remem-
Der the bravery and daring of this
gallant young officer, who in defense
of his country could welcome death
as sweet and pleasant.
But it is not so much for his
bravery in time of war, brave as he
was that we love him most. 1t is
for the fight he made for Right in
the so-called piping times of Peace,
and his vicarious sufferings that
gave him the the strongest claim up
on the affections and gratitude of
North Carolinians.
Up to the day when he was re-
leased from Fort Delaware prison,
Capt. Shotwell had not pressed his
foot on North Carolina soil, where
he was destined to do his life work
and have such punishment inflicted
as to make many call him the
Martyr of Reconstruction. In 1868
| Capt. ShotwelPs father moved to
Rutherfordton, and when he had
laid aside the sword forever and
was to fight his future battles with
the "mightier pen," he went to his
fathers home to rest a few weeks,
and look about him for future work.
In 1866, in partnership with Mr..
Stephen d. Pool, he commenced che
publication of the New Berne Jour
nal of Commerce. In 1868 he re-
turned to Rutherfordton and estab-
lished the Vindicator, through the
columns of which he denounced in
most seathing language what he call
ed the cred strings and renegades'
of that section. In 1870 he estab-
lished the Asheville Citizen, and a
few weeks later was shot ON the
streets of Asheville while Gaming u.
| S. Attorney Lusk for an insulting
reply to editorial structures in the
Citizen. In October of the same
! year, having decided to abandon
s i